Reddish Blotches on Jasmine in Desert Climate

Investigating Leaf Spots on Las Vegas Jasmine A jasmine plant in Las Vegas shows reddish circular blotches on some leaves this spring. Otherwise healthy. The owner seeks a diagnosis. Challenges of Remote Diagnosis Leaf

Red Spots on Oak Leaves: Leaf Spot or Gall Insects?

Diagnosing Reddish-White Spots on New Hampshire Oak Foliage An oak in New Hampshire shows reddish spots on the upper leaf surface and a whitish underside with red lines. Leaves are not misshapen or blistered. The owner w

Holly Leaf Blight and Sooty Mold: Insect-Driven Problems

Black Leaves, Webs, and White Larvae on Holly: Whats Happening? A holly bush shows blackened leaves, spider webs, and ½-inch whitish maggot-like larvae. Hosing removed the black coating and webs. The owner asks about ins

Reviving Declining Honeysuckle Vines After Aphid Infestations

Why Established Honeysuckle Fails to Thrive in Montana Two 10-year-old honeysuckle vines in northwest Montana, previously vigorous and floriferous, now show poor spring growth: leaves emerge but curl and shrivel. Past ap

Mystery "Eggs" in Roebellini Palm Soil: Likely Harmless

Identifying Round, Bursting Spheres on Palm Soil Surface A new roebellini palm (likely Phoenix roebelenii, pygmy date palm) on a patio developed small, hard, pebble-like spheres on the soil surface within a week. When sq

Saving Potted Citrus from Stem Rot and Leaf Drop

Diagnosing Blackening Stems and Yellowing Leaves on Indoor Citrus Three young potted citrus trees (two limes, one Meyer lemon) in Alberta, Canada, brought indoors for winter, developed yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and pr

Peach Leaf Curl: Spring Management for Infected Trees

Handling Severe Peach Leaf Curl in a Young Vermont Tree A young peach tree in Vermont with over 50% of leaves showing classic leaf curl symptoms (bubbling, curling, reddish discoloration) in spring raises the question: s

Mysterious Holes in Lawn: Wildlife Foraging, Not Disease

Diagnosing Small Bare Patches in Spring Turf A physician in north-central Massachusetts noticed 1–2 inch holes in the grass on lawn edges, with dormant grass twirled around bare circles. The lawn consists of Kentucky blu

Horned Oak Galls on Pin Oak: Same Pest, Same Approach

Identifying Spiny, Woody Galls on Northern Missouri Pin Oaks Large, brown, golf-ball-sized growths with toothpick-like spines protruding from pin oak twigs in northern Missouri are horned oak galls, induced by the cynipi

Horned Oak Galls: Identification and Management on Pin and Water Oaks

Understanding the Golf-Ball Growths on Oak Branches Hard, round, green-to-brown growths encircling lower branches on pin oaks and water oaks, often with brown spine-like projections, are horned oak galls caused by a tiny

Solving Brown Leaf Tips on Ponytail Palm

Root Health Is Key to Preventing Tip Burn Brown, rust-colored leaf tips moving inward on a ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) typically indicate root zone problems, not an infectious disease. The most common causes rel

Troubleshooting Mango Tree Flower Drop and Stem Dieback

Why Mango Blossoms Fall and Stems Turn Brittle A mature mango tree that produced abundant flower buds only to have them drop, with stem tips turning gray and brittle and some leaves showing dark spots, is likely experien

Managing Armillaria Root Rot in Mature Fruitless Mulberry Trees

Identifying and Living with Armillaria Root Rot A 25-year-old fruitless mulberry tree showing stunted growth, yellowing leaves, branch dieback, and mushrooms at the base likely has Armillaria root rot, a common fungal di

Diagnosing Browning Leaves on a Japanese Dwarf Red Maple

Understanding One-Sided Leaf Damage on Japanese Maples A homeowner noticed a concerning pattern on their Japanese dwarf red maple: a large section on the front of the tree displayed brown, crinkled leaves while the back

Lucky Bamboo Yellowing: Water Quality and Fertilizer

Fixing Yellowing Lucky Bamboo Stalks Maintain 2 inches of water with a few drops of Green Green fertilizer. Let tap water sit overnight to dissipate chlorine. Fluoride doesnt evaporate—use bottled water if fluoride high.

Red Balls on Autumn Blaze Maple: Bladder Galls

Tiny Red Balls on Maple Leaves? Bladder Galls Caused by mite Vasates quadripedes. Galls turn green→pink→red→black. Leaves may distort and drop early. No health impact; control unnecessary. Mites overwinter under bark.

Wisteria Scale Infestation: Oil for Crawlers, Systemic for Control

Controlling Scale on Wisteria Scale insects suck sap. Target crawlers with horticultural oil (below 80°F). For season-long control, apply Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control (imidacloprid) as soil drench. Confirm

Peach Leaf Reddish Blisters: Nitrogen Deficiency or Disease?

Reddish Blisters on Peach Leaves Turning Brown Could indicate nitrogen deficiency (small pale leaves, reddish bark, shot-hole). Or a fungal leaf spot. Apply balanced fertilizer, ensure good air circulation, prune in dry

White Birch Buds Fail to Open: Cold Snap Damage

Birch Leaf Buds Aborting After Temperature Drop A sudden overnight freeze can kill expanding buds. If tree is well-established, it will likely releaf. Monitor.

'Bloodgood' Japanese Maple Anthracnose: Wet Spring Disease

Anthracnose on Mature Bloodgood Maple Yellow-brown spots, wilting, leaf drop in wet springs. Fungicides (mancozeb, chlorothalonil) must start at bud swell. Rake fallen leaves. Usually not fatal unless repeated yearly.